West Ham United: Divin Mubama may finally sign new deal after what David Moyes said
Divin Mubama may finally agree to terms on a new deal at West Ham, after David Moyes insisted the club would not buy a new striker in January, with Mubama one of the reasons.
The 19-year-old previously turned down the offer of a contract renewal [The Athletic, 30 October] due to concerns over his playing time, but if no new striker arrives, Moyes may have no choice but to offer him reassurances.
With the stuttering form of both Michael Antonio and Danny Ings, and with the latter widely reported to be attracting interest over an exit from the London Stadium, Mubama may see his chance opening up.
As reported by Claret & Hugh [19 December], Moyes spoke to the media before the Hammers’ Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool, where he shared: “I don’t think we do [need a new striker]. We’ve got Bowen, we’ve got Michail Antonio, we’ve got Danny Ings, we’ve got young Divin Mubama.”
The inclusion of Mubama among the names Moyes counts as options will not come as a surprise, but if his claim that they are not desperately looking to bring in a new forward is accurate, then the 19-year-old could move higher up the pecking order.
Mubama has featured in each of the Hammers’ last three games in all competitions, albeit only as a substitute, but the manager’s willingness to use him in Premier League games is a step forward from where we were earlier this season.
When the report broke that the 19-year-old had turned down a new deal at the London Stadium on 30 October, he had played a combined 25 minutes across all competitions. By comparison, that’s less than the 26 minutes he played from the bench against Fulham alone. [Sofascore]
The additional playing time he has received, along with the clear trust he has earned from Moyes and the possibility that no new forward comes through the door in East London in January, means Mubama may be closer to signing that new deal after all.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have triggered a new contract extension.